One Man Takes On Somali Youth Issues In Minneapolis

With several Somali restaurants and stores, Minneapolis has the largest concentration of Somali immigrants in the United States.

Abdirizak Bihi has taken on the daunting task of combating homegrown terrorism in Minneapolis.

In the past three years, at least 25 young men have left for Somalia to join terror organization al-Shabab.

Bihi’s nephew was one of the first to leave in 2008. A year later he was killed.

In his neighborhood of Minneapolis, Bihi is known either as “Super Somali,” for his frenetic efforts to fight al-Shabab, or as “ma’angag,” a Somali word that means obstinate, because some believe his relationship with law enforcement amounts to a betrayal of the Somali-American community. One local mosque barred him from services; another invited him to join its leadership committee.

Minneapolis-St. Paul has the largest concentration of Somali refugees in the United States. Many settled there fleeing war.

“It is the epitome of what the FBI describes as a ‘vulnerable community.’ More than half of households are headed by single mothers, 70 percent of families live in poverty and almost 25 percent of adults are unemployed,” Eli Saslow writes.

A devout Muslim, Bihi’s efforts to stop the community from extremism has meant he spends all his time and energy on the center. He runs on donation only.

“Unless we figure out a way to stop this soon, we are headed for disaster,” he said.

Read More: A one-man mission to stop homegrown Somali terrorism in the U.S. (Seattle Times)

Liz Leslie is a journalist based in Bloomington, Indiana. As an associate Web producer for WFIU, Liz maintains the Muslim Voices Twitter and Facebook as well as writes for the blog. She also contributes to Earth Eats.More posts by this author »